Adult Onset Periodontitis (gum disease) affects seventy percent of the adult population.  It is the slow, painless reduction in bone support that holds in your teeth.  Furthermore, it has now been linked with heart disease.  We call it the smelly, wobbly disease as support for the teeth gradually disappears causing the gums to shrink back from around the teeth.  This is where the term “long in the tooth” comes from.

The cause of these concerns are often genetic, however, it is generally preventable by gentle removal of the calculus (tartar) that forms around your teeth and gums; the areas that your toothbrush can not reach.  Nothing upsets a dentist more than seeing a healthy decay free mouth without any missing teeth, suffering from gum disease.

We consider your six-monthly or annual visit to Avenue Dental to be similar to maintaining a car.  We wouldn’t consider not servicing the car, however, we often expect our teeth to go along happily grinding against each other, bathed in all sorts of foods and acidic drinks.  Furthermore, our cars aren’t expected to last for eighty years.

The prevention of gum disease is a simple process.  It is also the least expensive.  We pride ourselves at Avenue Dental by having three dental hygienists, Natasha Ferrington, Julie Carranza and Deb Kerridge who all have a passion in the prevention of gum disease.  A one hour, six-monthly or yearly appointment spent with one of our hygienists, will go a long way to help you keep your teeth.  Additionally, any other concerns are often found at a time when they are small and easily rectified at the least expense.

It is also at this time that some of our fillings from the past begin to break down.  Technology has come a long way in dentistry, hence, we no longer need to reconstruct teeth in large amalgams.  Porcelain is often the best choice for restorations, and, with continuing care by yourself and our hygienists, can last indefinitely.  Often, you will be advised to replace some of your larger fillings early as breakage can often result in tooth loss.

Tooth loss from the past can also be a major concern.  Saving a tooth can often be problematic and expensive, however, not saving it is usually more of an issue.  It is at this age that our past can catch up with us.  The teeth either side start to drift and pack food, with the one above or below also moving into the vacant space.  Furthermore, with one or more less teeth to bite on, we double the loads on the remaining teeth subjecting them to failure.  Often we will recommend that you replace this missing tooth or teeth with a bridge or an implant.  This is to prevent the future need for a denture (false teeth).  Bridges and implants are the more expensive options for replacing missing teeth, so, dentures are often a necessary item.  All dentures are not created equal.  We recommend that you read our section on dentures for more information.

At this time in our life, our teeth have reached, or just passed half way.  As we get older, treatment can prove more difficult.  A large proportion of the patients at Avenue Dental use this time in their life to get a fresh start.  Due to the impending onset of old age and any possible further medical and dental problems, we strongly support this ideal.  As always, there are many options, including doing nothing.  We suggest that it is a good time to find out your options.  We will respect any decisions you make.